X Factor's Olly Murs supports Joe

Oct 10 2010 by Coreena Ford, Sunday Sun

POP star Olly Murs has told of the support he gave to his former X Factor rival and pal Joe McElderry after he revealed he was gay.

X Factor winner Joe, 19, made the announcement on his official website in July, after computer hackers broke into his Twitter profile and “outed” him for a joke.

But his friend and fellow telly show contestant Olly Murs, who was the runner-up in last year’s series of the popular ITV reality contest, says no one had a clue about his sexuality on the show – and no one would have asked anyway.

It was only after he spoke out last July that Olly spoke to the South Shields-born star about his personal life.

The Essex crooner said: “We didn’t know on the show – everyone’s got their own private lives, you didn’t ask questions, it’s his own business.

“He kept himself to himself. Then, after the show, he decided to come out and tell everyone.

“I just hold my hat off to him because it’s a massive thing to do. I showed my support by giving him a call on the phone the day after it all.

“You are only telling your friends and family normally, but he was telling the whole world.”

The 26-year-old spoke of his pride in Joe after announcing a trip North next month, for a concert in Newcastle.

He will join popular girl group The Saturdays, Alesha Dixon, boy band The Wanted and a host of other acts at the arena for the TFM Radio Live event on November 30, which forms part of the venue’s 15th birthday celebrations.